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Louganis calls for protest of Russian anti-gay laws

Greg Louganis urged American Olympians on Friday to dedicate their performances at February's Sochi Games to their gay friends and relatives as a means of public but personal protest against Russian anti-gay laws.

WASHINGTON --- Greg Louganis urged American Olympians on Friday to dedicate their performances at February's Sochi Games to their gay friends and relatives as a means of public but personal protest against Russian anti-gay laws.

Louganis, the former diver and Olympic gold medalist, reaffirmed his position against a boycott of the Sochi Games at a Capitol Hill briefing of the House LGBT Equality Caucus hosted by U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Human Rights First, an international human rights organization based in New York and Washington.

Louganis, who was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team that boycotted the Moscow Games, said his position on a boycott has angered some in the LGBT community but that he believes boycotts "hurt the wrong people," meaning elite athletes who have dedicated their lives to this moment.

Russia's so-called anti-propaganda law, passed by its parliament in June, bars "propaganda" about "nontraditional sexual relations" as a means of protecting children.

Louganis, who is openly gay, said gay children are born in Russia every day. "Every child needs to be protected," he said.

Human Rights First urged the Obama administration last month to include prominent LGBT people in the official U.S. delegation to Sochi. Louganis said he is open to going, if selected.

"If it would be helpful, I would be there in a heartbeat," he told USA TODAY Sports after the briefing. "If I would be a distraction, that's my concern. I don't want to be a distraction. But if there's any way I can be of benefit, focusing a light on injustice, then I'll be there. I just heard today that my name is in the mix for potentially going. I was like, really? I'm a Summer Olympian. But I think I am pretty level-headed. I have not heard from anyone officially, so it was news to me."

Louganis said as he understands the law, Olympic athletes in Sochi could potentially be in trouble for wearing rainbow pins in support of the LGBT movement. That, he said, is why he thinks athletes should publicly thank gay friends and relatives who have supported them in their road to the Olympics.

"I don't see how the IOC can say anything about that, because it's personal, not political," Louganis said. "If you have a supportive aunt, uncle, cousin, friend who is gay, you don't win a gold medal by yourself. There is a team of people behind you. And to recognize those people is a way athletes can show their support of the LGBT community and what's going on in Russia."

Louganis said he got sharply critical pushback when he first said that he is not in favor of boycotting the Sochi Games.

"I got hate mail," he said. "I was told, 'How can I call myself a gay man?' Or that I was a horrible homosexual. I had one really graphic and hateful one and actually reached out to him and we became friends. I was able to express why. I come from the perspective of an athlete.

"I commended the guy who was critical of me. All I'm trying to do is incite action. That's all he's trying to do. We're all on the same side. If you say boycott, that's how you address the issue. I am saying no boycott, but maybe there is another way."

Louganis said the shelf life of an Olympic athlete is short and that many members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team lost their opportunities to the sands of time. Louganis came back and won gold medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, which were boycotted by Eastern bloc countries, and the 1988 Seoul Games. He also competed in the 1976 Moscow Games.

"I competed on two sides of two boycotts," he said. "We have a full Olympic team from 1980 that was never fully recognized by the world. We wanted to send just one person to carry the flag at opening ceremonies and one to closing ceremonies but to go to Russia and kick ass. That's an athlete's mentality."

Other speakers at the briefing included Anastasia Smirnova, coordinator of the coalition of LGBT organizations in the Olympics advocacy campaign; Maria Kozlovskaya, legal program coordinator of the Council of Russian LGBT network; and Elvina Yuvakaeva and Konstantin Iablotckii, co-presidents of the Russian LGBT Sport Federation. They described a climate of fear for sexual minorities in Russia and a permissive environment for violence against them.

"What's disturbing is how vague the law is," Louganis said. "These vigilante groups are emerging, basically gangs, targeting LGBT people, especially youth. It's so disturbing that these abuses are happening and there is no one to go to. There is only fear."

GALLERY: Where in the world in Sochi?

The city of Sochi, located on the Black Sea coast in the far south of Russia, was relatively unknown to the rest of the world until 2007, when it won the bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Here's what you need to know about this latest host city. (Photo: Sochi2014 Press Office)

When you think "Russia," you probably don't imagine a sunny, seaside coast, but that's just what Sochi is. With the same latitude as Nice on the French Riviera, Sochi enjoys a surprisingly pleasant climate throughout the year. (Photo: NA)

Known as the summer capital of Russia, Sochi is a popular summer resort town located on the "Russian Riviera." What makes it so unique is its mountainous landscape right on the coast of the Black Sea. With a much milder winter than the northern portions of Russia along with a well developed ski resort not too far away (Krasnaya Polyana), Sochi makes a good choice for this winter competition. (Photo: Sochi2014 Press Office)

Unlike most of Russia, Sochi lies within a subtropical zone with 300 days of sunshine annually. But thanks to significantly colder air in the mountains surrounding the city, area ski slopes enjoy a long season with plenty of snow. If you're staying in the city for the Olympics, you can expect highs in the low 50s and lows in the mid 30s during February. (Photo: Sochi2014 Press Office)

More than 100 ethnic groups call Sochi home, making it one of Russia's most diverse cities. Almost everyone here speaks Russian, and about 80 percent of the population are Russian Orthodox Christians, a tradition you'll see in the cathedrals scattered throughout the city. (Photo: Sochi2014 Press Office)

Sochi's main point of entry is the Sochi International Airport, newly renovated for the upcoming Olympics. Several daily flights per day go to and from St. Petersburg and Moscow, and international connections include Vienna, Istanbul, Frankfurt and Oslo. A new railroad will connect the airport with the city center, with buses and commuter trains to help get you around town. (Photo: Sochi2014 Press Office)

As a host of the winter Olympics, it's not surprising that Sochi offers several winter attractions and activities. First and foremost is skiing. Sochi is home to a more well-established resort in Krasnaya Polyana and two new French-designed resorts -- all with excellent snowfall in the winter months. (Photo: Sochi2014 Press Office)

One of the most impressive new facilities for the 2014 Olympics is the Bolshoy Ice Dome. With a 12,000-seat capacity, the stadium will host all the hockey events of the games. The silver dome-shaped stadium is meant to resemble a frozen drop of water. If you come after the games have ended, the facility will be used as a multipurpose concert and entertainment venue. (Photo: Sochi2014 Press Office)

The Olympics wouldn't be complete without an Olympic Village, and in Sochi, the highest altitude village will house the cross-country and biathlon athletes. Appropriately named Endurance Village sits at an altitude of 4,757 feet. Should a bout of warm weather strike, Sochi event planners are ready with more than 400 snow-making machines. (Photo: Sochi2014 Press Office)

The fan-favorite figure skating events of the Winter Olympics will take place within the "Iceberg" Skate Palace. This beautiful 12,000-seat arena will also play host to the short-track speed skaters. The entire complex was designed so that it can be dismantled and moved to another Russian city after the final medal is awarded. (Photo: Sochi2014 Press Office)

Sochi was developed as a summer seaside resort, so if you can't make it to the Olympics, you can plan a visit during the summer months instead. Some of the activities on offer include hiking, kite surfing and boating just off the coast. The warm season is also a great time to tour some of Sochi's attractions, like the Park of Southern Cultures botanical garden or the Singing Fountains. (Photo: Sochi2014 Press Office)